Shirley A. Gisondi

Shirley A. Gisondi, 87, of Ellwood City, passed away on Sunday, November 7, 2021 at Rochester Manor Nursing Home in Rochester.

Born February 11, 1934 in Big Beaver Borough, she was the daughter of the late Robert E. (Nick) Straley and Josephine Lechner Straley.

Shirley graduated from Lincoln High School class of 1951. She was also runner up in the Mrs. Body Beautiful pageant of which her sister placed first. After raising her children she went back to school and graduated with a nursing degree in 1978 which was her life-long dream. She would only work in nursing homes where she loved taking care of the elderly. She and her late husband were the owners of Danny’s Motel many years ago. She was a member of the Lillyville Church in Ellwood City.  She loved to crochet, knit, sew, garden and bake sweets. There wasn’t an animal she didn’t love. Aside from the many cats and dogs she had as pets through the years, she fed the deer, squirrels, birds and every other four-legged animal of which she had names for all of them.

She is survived by her daughters Candace (Michael) Lokey of Natrona Heights, Rita Swesey of Rochester; Two brothers, Melvin (Virginia) Straley of Wampum, Fred (Nancy) Straley of Ellwood City, three sisters, Dolly (Bob) Hackett of Wampum, Judi (Joe) DeTullio of Ellwood City, Barbara (Dom) Gratteri of North Sewickley Township, a brother-in-law, Mike Gisondi of Florida and many many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her seven (7) precious babies, Snow, Troubles, Callie Sue, Midnight, Boo Boo, Tiny and Ameretta.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Dan Gisondi, her brother PFC John Straley (Vietnam War POW/MIA), Sisters and brother in laws, Roberta (Bill) Barkay, Jean (Mike) Izzo, Ethel Ritorto, Sandra Straley; brother in laws Joel (Netta) Gisondi, Frank Gisondi, Nick Gisondi; sister in laws Angie Brown, Esther Trinch and Mary (Frank) DeDario.

Visitation will be held at Marshall’s Funeral Home in Ellwood City on Friday, November 12, 2021 from 3:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. with a eulogy to follow from 5:30 until 6:00.

She will be buried along side her husband at Clinton Cemetery.

Also, thanks go out to the staff at Rochester Manor where mother spent her last days. Enough cannot be said about the excellent care and compassion she received. A special thank you goes to Chris, Patrick, Nancy and many others who cared for her.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Beaver County Humane Society.

Online condolences may be sent to marshallsfh.com